How Avs Have Improved With Consistent Middle Lines

Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar said he is treating the next few games before the 4 Nations break like the playoffs. The 5-0 shutout win against the Central Division rival St. Louis Blues was a good start.

“It’s not just one game, right? Like I said, five games. I really like what we did yesterday. The great start, great focus, all the things I touched on yesterday,” Bednar said after Saturday’s practice. “We didn’t have any passengers. I look at every guy, and even looking back to the video, a couple mistakes here and there. We could’ve got a little bit more dangerous here and there. They were prepared and focused and played within the game plan, no passengers, no big lapses in the game. So I’m happy. And we got the result.”

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Jonathan Drouin scored a goal and an assist on the power play, which the team has struggled with recently. He also scored an even-strength goal playing on the second line with Casey Mittelstadt and Juuso Parssinen, who he has developed chemistry with.

“It’s been good, and I think we complement each other well in that line. Pars, big body and goes to the net hard. Drou and I see the game very similar, and can make plays together. So it was fun. I thought we played well as well,” Mittelstadt said.

Although the third line didn’t get on the scoresheet, the three American-born players were cohesive and productive. Miles Wood and Ross Colton are familiar having played together last season and being close friends off the ice. But the addition of Jack Drury has been the equalizer for that line.

The Robbinsville, New Jersey native said Drury is good on face-offs, possesses good speed and wins puck battles. He appreciates his new linemate’s agility in the D-zone.

“I think the last two games, we’ve been really good. Drury — he’s come in, he’s kind of been a nice calming presence in the middle,” Colton said. “I played with Miles all last year, so just know where we’re gonna be on the ice. We know each other’s games, and play north, south, and play with some speed, physicality, and feel like Bedsy’s (Bednar) really liked our game last couple games, so just keep building off it.”

Colton and Wood are gritty players who bring a high level of energy to the ice. Drury has melded well with their tenacity and has two goals in four games with the Avalanche.

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“They’re both incredible players, both so fast. This is kind of what stands out, really good speed on both of them,” Drury said. “Woody obviously, really physical, strong finishes hits and then Colts (Colton), really smart player, knows where to go on the ice. So it’s been fun playing with them. We’ve kind of felt like we’ve gotten better and better, and want to just keep going moving forward.”

Bednar said the Joel Kiviranta — Parker Kelly — Logan O’Connor line has been the most consistent, so he has not broken them up. Nathan MacKinnon’s line has carried the majority of the production weight, but his team’s goal is to have consistency across all four lines.